Hamzah Sheeraz vacates WBO title ahead of Janibek bout

Hamzah Sheeraz has withdrawn from his mandatory bout against Janibek Alimkhanuly and vacated his WBO title.

Hamzah Sheeraz has canceled his scheduled fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly and vacated his WBO super middleweight title, as the organization officially confirmed.

Hamzah Sheeraz had been mandated by the WBO to face the Kazakhstani fighter because he is the number one contender. The reason for these doubts about the fight may have been the auction for the fight rights, in which Queensberry won with a bid of over one million U.S. dollars on Thursday. Subsequently, the WBO president posted the following on X:

"The WBO confirms that Queensberry Promotions has formally notified in writing that Hamzah Sheeraz, per the terms resulting from the purse bid proceedings concerning his mandatory obligation against Janibek Alimkhanuly, has elected not to proceed with the mandatory and has voluntarily relinquished his WBO super-middleweight world championship"

Later on, he also expressed respect for Hamzah Sheeraz and assured him that the WBO is always open to him. He also wrote that the decision on what will happen with the title is expected to be made on September 21. The only one who didn't show him any respect, of course, was his scheduled opponent. His manager posted:

"Ha, I was right, if you scared yesterday, you're scared today and you will be scared tomorrow. Couple things you can't train in boxing, chin and scariness. Been informed Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated WBO title. What ashamed! [sic]"

Hamzah Sheeraz won the title in May against Alem Begic and defended it in July against Simon Zachenhuber. Janibek Alimkhanuly was reinstated prematurely despite a previously imposed doping suspension and subsequently named the No. 1 contender. Hamzah Sheeraz criticized the decision back then and was already visibly annoyed with the WBO. It remains to be seen what will happen to him now, as he will surely provide another update in the coming days. What do you think he’ll do next?